Importance of axial penile rigidity in objective evaluation of erection quality in patients with erectile dysfunction--comparison with radial rigidity.

Introduction: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the usefulness of measurement of axial penile rigidity, compared with radial penile rigidity.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-two patients, aged 21-75 years old (a mean of 50), with erectile dysfunction underwent axial penile rigidity measurements by the digital inflection rigidometer (DIR) as well as radial penile rigidity measurements by the RigiScan Plus during intracavernous pharmacological erection testing.

Results: A significant correlation was recognized between axial rigidity, and radial rigidity at the tip (p = 0.

[The efficacy of portable 3-dimensional ultrasound scanning device (Bladder Scan BVI6100) for measurement of residual urine volume--comparison with transabdominal ultrasound estimation].

In 177 patients, we evaluated the efficacy of a portable 3-dimensional ultrasound scanning device (Bladder Scan BVI6100) in measurement for residual urine volume, compared with transabdominal ultrasound estimation, using values measured by urethral catheterization as actual values. A high correlation was demonstrated between values measured by BVI6100 and actual values. Error rates of the values measured by BVI6100 male mode, female mode and transabdominal ultrasound estimation to actual values were 42.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy and urethrectomy with ileal conduit construction.

Introduction: Hand-assisted laparoscopy was first performed in the 1990s by inserting the surgeon's finger or hand through a small tight wound. Although leakage of gas from the incision initially limited the usefulness of the technique, the hand-assisted procedures have advanced extensively since the introduction of the hand-assisted laparoscopy port. Laparoscopic procedure has only rarely been applied to radical cystoprostatectomy.

[The efficacy of Gosyajinkigan for pollakisuria].

We investigated the efficacy of Gosyajinkigan in 20 patients with prostatic disease, in whom pollakisuria was not improved by treatment with drugs for lower urinary tract symptoms. Four and 8 weeks after treatment, the urinary frequency was significantly improved during both daytime and night. The efficacy rates for diurnal frequency and nocturia were 45% and 65%, respectively.

Telomerase activity is correlated with lower grade and lower stage bladder carcinomas.

Background: Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that compensates for the progressive erosion of telomeres. The increasing interest in telomerase is motivated by the demonstration that most human carcinomas are telomerase positive. The potential use of telomerase activity in bladder carcinomas using a urine sample has been reported in several studies.

Relationship between penile hemodynamic parameters assessed by color Doppler ultrasonography and penile rigidity recorded by the RigiScan Plus.

Objective: We studied the relationship between penile hemodynamic parameters assessed by color Doppler ultrasonography and penile rigidity estimated by objective measurement.

Patients And Methods: A total 37 patients with erectile dysfunction were examined. After intracavernous injection of 20 microg prostaglandin E1, we measured their penile hemodynamic parameters in the cavernous arteries by color Doppler ultrasonography.

Comparative study between audiovisualsexual stimulation test and nocturnal penile tumescence test using RigiScan Plus in the evaluation of erectile dysfunction.

Introduction: Although the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test is considered the gold standard for the differential diagnosis of psychogenic versus organic erectile dysfunction (ED), concerns have recently been raised regarding the financial and time expenditure it demands. We evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of the audiovisual sexual stimulation (AVSS) test as an alternative to the NPT test.

Patients And Methods: A total of 43 patients with ED were examined.

Changes in male reproductive function after high altitude mountaineering.

The male reproductive functions of the members of the Masherbrum (7821 m) Expedition in 1999 were examined via semen analyses and endocrine tests. Specimens were collected from three subjects who had stayed above 5100 m for 21 to 24 days and above 6700 m for 4 to 5 days before departure and 1 month, 3 months, and 2 yr after returning from the expedition. Semen analyses showed no change in the semen volume.

Snap-Gauge band compared to RigiScan Plus in a nocturnal penile tumescence study for evaluation of erectile dysfunction.

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to examine the ability of the Snap-Gauge band to differentiate organic from psychogenic erectile dysfunction (ED).

Patients And Methods: Nocturnal penile tumescence testing was performed on 12 patients using a Snap-Gauge band and RigiScan Plus. A total of 29 nightly examinations were evaluated.